News

The Government has today welcomed the High Court’s decision to allocate an urgent hearing in the week starting 26 November in relation to a judicial review of the Government’s decision to proceed with its share offer programme. On this basis, Finance Minister Bill English says...

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Minister for Treaty of Waitangi Negotiations Christopher Finlayson has welcomed the third part of the Waitangi Tribunal’s report on Te Urewera, and says its findings show why it is so necessary for the Crown to address the issues in the report. "The events described in detail...

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Criminal Law Update Date : 27 Oct 12 Time : 1:00 PM-4:00 PM Location : Pioneer Women's and Ellen Melville Hall, Corner High Street & Freyberg Place, CBD, Auckland, New Zealand We are privileged to have Professor Brookbanks presenting one of his update seminars. These have...

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Associate Health Minister Jo Goodhew has accelerated the timeframe for the roll-out of a comprehensive clinical assessment tool in aged residential care to improve the quality of life and care of residents. By June 2014 all aged residential facilities in New Zealand will be participating in...

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Auckland barrister Anna-Marie Skellern has been appointed as an Acting District Court Judge with jury and Family Court warrants to sit in Hastings, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced today. Judge Skellern is of Ngāpuhi and Pākehā descent. She was admitted to the bar in 1985....

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Housing New Zealand’s new offices in central Christchurch have been officially opened by Housing Minister Phil Heatley. “This is quite a milestone in the rebuild of Christchurch,” Mr Heatley said. “It’s important the Corporation’s earthquake recovery team...

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The Financial Markets Authority has today accredited a second accounting professional body under the Auditor Regulation Act 2011. CPA Australia can now license and regulate auditors and audit firms in New Zealand with oversight from the Financial Markets Authority. "This is another...

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Climate Change Minister Tim Groser announced today that the Government is looking to clarify the domestic carry-over provisions in the New Zealand Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS). “I have requested that officials look into the carry-over provisions and what needs to be done under the Act....

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The New Zealand Law Society has released draft Rules for a mandatory continuing professional development (CPD) initiative which would require all lawyers to prepare a CPD plan and complete 10 hours of CPD activities annually. The draft Rules are based on the discussion paper on mandatory CPD...

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Proposed legislation that would criminalise breaches of directors’ duties could have a negative impact on the economy, the New Zealand Law Society says. The introduction of criminal liability for breaches of directors’ duties – as a “backstop” to civil liability...

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Actor Martin Shaw (known for his television series portrayal of an English judge with a love life that frequently spilled over into his role on the bench) has proved to be a champion of bar and bench in a recently delivered lecture. Shaw foresees a dark future for the bar. He notes...

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Brookfields Lawyers has announced three senior appointments.Stephen Corlett has been promoted to Partner. Stephen specialises in litigation, dispute resolution, insurance and employment law. Daniel Beker has joined Brookfields' Wellington office as a Senior Associate. He has considerable...

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The New Zealand Law Society supports a Bill which would repeal the Joint Family Homes Act 1964. The Law Society has released its submission to Parliament’s Justice and Electoral Committee on the Joint Family Homes Repeal Bill. This was prepared in response to a request from the committee...

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It might be beneficial to make ship owners and operators strictly liable under New Zealand law for the actions of a vessel’s crew, the New Zealand Law Society says. In a submission on the Marine Legislation Bill, the Law Society says the Bill would update the law to include the increased...

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Iwi groups yet to complete their Treaty settlements will be offered the opportunity to participate in the Government share offer programme, Finance Minister Bill English and Treaty Negotiations Minister Chris Finlayson say. “This is a result of our constructive engagement with Iwi...

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Improving the way we deal with victims of youth crime is an important part of a credible youth justice system, says Associate Social Development Minister Chester Borrows. “It doesn’t matter if the criminal is 16 or 26; the impact of the crime is the same. That’s why ensuring...

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Environment Minister Amy Adams today announced a one-off process to improve the development of Auckland Council’s first Unitary Plan, while ensuring that Aucklanders still have comprehensive input into the plan. The Unitary Plan will be the largest and most complex planning exercise ever...

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The New Zealand Law Society is distributing its annual report to members for the year ended 30 June 2012. The Law Society is required to submit an annual report to the Minister of Justice on its regulation of the legal profession, and that report has been sent to the Minister. The separate...

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New Zealand and China Customs have agreed to work more closely together to combat the smuggling of pharmaceutical products used to manufacture methamphetamine (‘P’). The agreement is the result of talks between Chinese officials and Customs Minister Maurice Williamson during a...

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Commerce Minister Craig Foss has welcomed the passage of a Bill that enables greater cooperation between the Commerce Commission and its international counterparts. The Commerce Commission (International Co-operation, and Fees) Bill passed its third and final reading today. “This Bill...

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Revenue Minister Peter Dunne has congratulated Inland Revenue for making it easier for customers to file GST returns online. “We know a lot of businesses look after their own GST returns, and October is a peak period for small businesses, so it is great timing to launch the smarter...

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Land Information Minister Maurice Williamson today announced the Government did not support the inclusion of three clauses (34A, 34B and 34C) in the Reserves and Other Lands Disposal Bill 2008 and would seek to remove them. "These clauses relate to an area of esplanade reserve at Opua....

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Liquidator takes action against failed firm's auditor - experts say it could be first of many against third parties Legal action against the auditor acting for a collapsed finance company could set a precedent for holding third parties accountable, according to experts. The move could claw...

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Date : 08 Nov 12 Time : 5:30 PM-7:00 PM Location : Chapman Tripp, Level 35, ANZ Centre, 23 Albert Street, Auckland, New Zealand The Arbitrators and Mediators’ Institute of New Zealand and The New Zealand Bar Association are delighted to invite you to cocktails with internationally...

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Education Minister Hekia Parata says the Education Amendment Bill, introduced today, includes a number of changes which will help improve education outcomes for learners. “Changes to the Education Amendment Bill will provide more clarity for schools and Boards of Trustees, and ensure...

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A new $60 million package will improve the support and recognition given to veterans who have served New Zealand, says Veterans’ Affairs Minister Nathan Guy. Prime Minister John Key announced the new package at the Royal New Zealand Returned and Services’ Association’s...

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Prime Minister John Key today outlined the Government’s next steps to prepare Mighty River Power for its partial sale in the first half of 2013. “I’m pleased to announce today Cabinet made three decisions regarding our shares sales programme: “First, the Government...

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Hon Tariana Turia, Associate Minister of Housing, has today announced the Government has made changes to the Kainga Whenua loan scheme which will enable houses to be built on multiply owned Maori land. The expanded policy will provide an opportunity to advance housing aspirations for whanau,...

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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett announced the first Children's Team will be trialled in Rotorua to local community groups today. "A vital initiative in the White Paper will be local Children's Teams that bring professionals together to make individualised plans for vulnerable...

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Justice Minister Judith Collins rejects comments made today by the former chair of the Expert Reference Group on Family Court reform, Antony Mahon. Ms Collins says recommendations made by the Expert Reference Group have been helpful in forming the Government’s proposals for reform, but...

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Building and Construction Minister Maurice Williamson announced today that owners of retirement village units will soon be entitled to the original capital sum of their investment following situations such as the Canterbury earthquakes. "I have made an important variation to the...

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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett has released the White Paper for Vulnerable Children today at the Jigsaw national conference in Wellington. "We will target support and services to our most vulnerable children through more than 30 new initiatives introduced in the White...

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Social Development Minister Paula Bennett expects the independent investigation into Work and Income computer systems to give the public assurances that security is robust and private information is safe. “I’m deeply disappointed information which should have been secure has been...

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The Law Council today welcomed the release of the Legal Australia Wide (LAW) Survey and called on Commonwealth, state and territory governments to address widespread unmet legal need in Australia. The LAW Survey—the most comprehensive survey of its kind in the world—provides the...

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The New Zealand Law Society’s Council has elected Auckland lawyer Chris Moore to be the Law Society’s next President. Mr Moore will become President in April 2013, succeeding Jonathan Temm who will then have been President for three years. Read more

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The Supreme Court released its decision on the Spencer on Byron case yesterday. It has thwarted the most recent council attempt to avoid liability for leaky commercial buildings. The case relates to the Spencer on Byron hotel and apartment complex in Takapuna. The former North Shore City...

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A US judge has denied a motion by lawyers for file-sharing service Megaupload to dismiss criminal copyright charges against the company. Megaupload's lawyers had argued that the US Department of Justice had not properly served the company with the charges against it, but Judge Liam O'Grady, in...

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The government has received the second part (volume 4 of 7) of the report of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Building Failure Caused by Canterbury Earthquakes, addressing practice and policy issues relating to earthquake-prone buildings, Attorney-General Christopher Finlayson announced...

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The New Zealand Law Society has welcomed a number of the proposed changes to the Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Bill announced by Justice Minister Judith Collins. “From the outset the Law Society has expressed its concern at the possible impact some of the Bill’s provisions will...

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The Government has announced changes to proposed legislation aimed at tackling large increases in legal aid costs, while ensuring people have adequate access to justice services. Legal aid expenditure rose from $111 million in 2006/07 to $173 million in 2009/10 – an increase of 56 per...

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The Commerce Commission today released the findings of its annual competition review of backhaul services for the unbundled copper local loop (UCLL), unbundled copper low frequency (UCLF) and unbundled bitstream access (UBA). Backhaul services provide telecommunications companies with access...

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The Commerce Commission has today released new information disclosure requirements for suppliers of electricity distribution services and gas pipeline services. Under the new requirements, regulated businesses will publicly disclose information about investment and innovation, financial...

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Date : 02 Nov 12-05 Nov 12 Time : 4:00 PM-5:00 PM Location : Auckland, New Zealand The New Zealand members of the Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) are proud to be hosting the annual mid-year meeting of the Council of the IPBA in Auckland from Friday 2 November to Monday 5 November...

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Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has announced an important milestone in the Government’s residential red zone offer process, with more than 6000 of 7860 property owners having signed agreements to sell their property to the Crown. “This is an overwhelming...

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Justice Minister Judith Collins has today announced changes to the Legal Assistance (Sustainability) Amendment Bill to incorporate the benefits gained by reforming the Family Court. In February this year, the Government asked the Justice and Electoral Select Committee to defer its...

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Proposed rules around the reporting of KiwiSaver funds have gone out for public consultation announced Commerce Minister Craig Foss today. The draft KiwiSaver periodic disclosure regulations would require KiwiSaver schemes to report information on returns, fees and costs, assets and portfolio...

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Labour Minister Kate Wilkinson has today confirmed the introduction of a new starting-out wage that will help provide young New Zealanders with more opportunities to get into the workforce. Speaking at the launch of the Government's Skilled and Safe Workplaces Progress Report, Ms Wilkinson...

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Canterbury Earthquake Recovery Minister Gerry Brownlee has today announced the parameters of the review of Port Hills land zoning. As with the flat land, this review will look at the boundaries used to identify residential red and green zones. In the Port Hills zone boundaries have been drawn...

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Primary Industries Minister David Carter has welcomed today's announcement of another successful Primary Growth Partnership bid which lifts the total allocated to around $600 million. PGP is to fund nearly half of a $14.6 million programme led by PGG Wrightson Seeds to develop new pasture and...

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A new rule that raises the upper limit for the mandatory use of child restraints is a sensible move to help keep more of our children safe on the roads, says Associate Minister of Transport Simon Bridges. “International and local research shows that in the event of a crash, young school...

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